Good morning. We'll go ahead and start, uh, this morning's press conference with the numbers again. So today we have 508 new positive cases, for a total of 6376 positive cases. 98% of those positive cases were in the 22 counties where restrictions remain in place. We had 1165 new negative cases for a total of 33,447. Yesterday we ran a total of 1673 test. A total of 39,823 Iowans have been tested for a per capita of one and every 79 Iowans. Ah, the state hygienic lab has testing capacity of 5226. We have 2169 Iowans that were diagnosed with covert 19 who have recovered for recovery rate of 34% today. I am so sorry to report that we have had nine additional Iowans who have died as a result of this virus. Today's deaths are among older and elderly adults, and seven were residents of long term care facilities. Also, unfortunately, the Department of Public Health has confirmed seven additional long term care facility outbreaks. Granger Nursing and Rehab Center in Dallas County de Buche. Specialty Care in to be a county park center and accurate health care of Newton West, both in Jasper County. I was that Iowa veterans home in Marshall County. Flu or Heights, a center for wellness and rehab in the University Park Nursing and Rehab, both in Polk County. And again, all of those just mentioned are in the counties that remained under higher restrictions. From the start, we've taken ah significant and pro active mitigation Mother measures to protect long term care facilities and are most vulnerable. Iowans who live there because we know that cove it 19 spreads quickly in congregate settings were deploying long term care Strike teams t to conduct server surveillance testing of employees in areas where virus activity is high and will continue to ramp up these efforts. As we begin Teoh, reopen Iowa safely and responsibly testing case management and tracing remain critical components to understanding and managing virus activity. Tomorrow. A second, a test Iowa site will be opening in Waterloo at Crossroads mall and testing for protesting for now is prioritized for a central workers and people who are current who currently have symptoms of covert 19 have been in contact with someone who has the virus or have recently been in the area where it's more widespread. So go as a reminder. Go to test I would dot com and complete a brief online assessment, and then individuals who qualify are scheduled for an appointment to be tested. Testing is also available in Des Moines. We've ran sites Monday and Tuesday, and we have more sites that will be opening up soon. As I've said, expanding testing capabilities helps us better understand virus activity across the state so that we can target our response efforts and focus on containing and managing the virus for the long term. Yesterday, I also announced that some businesses would begin to reopen later this week in 77 of Iowa's counties. Effective May 1st restaurants, fitness centers, retail stores and enclosed malls may reopen at 50% of normal operating capacity, while complying with certain require requirements designed to protect the workers, the customers and our communities. In all cases, those businesses must ensure that social distancing continues to take place. Increased hygiene practice and public health measures that are consistent with guidance from the Department of Public Health. You know, many Iowans have missed their favorite local restaurant, and they're curious about how the experience will be different and whether it will be safe. The Iowa Restaurant Association worked proactively with owners across the state to establish guidelines for adapting operations and meeting expectations of their customers. The Iowa Department of Public Health and the Department of Inspection and Appeals also partner together to develop specific guidance for restaurants as they prepare to begin serving their customers again soon. I've asked There're Easter to provide an overview of the guidance being provided to restaurant owners and employees so that Iowans can return to their favorite place with compete Complete confidence. Thank you, Governor Reynolds In good morning as we prepare to open some businesses in Iowa, we wanted to take an opportunity to review some of the guidance that's been developed for reopening. This guidance has been put in place to ensure that we can reopen responsibly. We want to do this in a manner that protects not only the health of Iowans visiting these establishments, but also the health of the employees that work there. We've developed guidance for businesses that have remained open over the last couple of months, and along with them we've instituted practices to keep customers and employees safe. Many of these protective measures or the same is what the governor ordered in her proclamation yesterday. And now, along with other state agency partners, Public Health has put together additional guidance for restaurants and farmers. Markets will post this guidance at Corona Virus, died Iowa dot gov, and I'll run through some of it here for you today. But before I do that, I want to make sure all of us continue to understand that there are Iowans who continue to be at higher risk for more severe illness. And we all need to do our part to help keep them healthy by following this guidance. And I want to remind those of you who are at high risk that you should continue to stay home as much as possible. If you do decide to leave your home, it continues to be important for you to practice social distancing whenever possible. We know this is challenging, and we're here for you if you have questions As governor, Reynolds said, We know many Iowans are looking forward to getting back out to eat at their favorite restaurants. Yesterday's proclamation allows restaurants in many counties to resume limited on premises dining service. Starting Friday, restaurants are required to limit seating to 50% of normal capacity. Limit group sizes to no more than six people. Arrange seating to provide a minimum of six feet between tables. Prohibit customer self service of beverages or food, including buffets and salad bars. Implement reasonable measures to ensure social distancing of employees and customers. The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals in the Iowa Department of Public Health strongly recommend, but all restaurants adhere to the additional guidance that will post at our Web pages and at Corona virus dot Iowa dot gov. These additional measures include a Nen Hance cleaning schedule and eliminating seating at bar areas where people would sit close together. We also encourage restaurants to use a reservation only system for in establishment dining. Customers can even be screened upon arrival by asking whether anyone in the party has tested positive, has any symptoms or has been exposed to Kobe 19. All employees should be screened before each shift and immediately excluded from the workplace. If they have any symptoms. Employees with direct customer contact should wear masks that are laundered, A replaced daily, and workstations should be staggered, so employees are stationed. It looks at least six feet apart whenever possible. We understand that we're asking restaurants to take many precautions, but it's all in an effort to help protect their employees in their customers so that we can all stay healthy. Another important part of how we purchase food as Iowans is that farmers markets and specific guidance has been developed by the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Iowa State University Extension for these operations as well, this guidance provides that farmers markets can only sell farm products and food. There could be no entertainment, other social activities or common seating. There is a required six foot minimum spacing between vendors and other social distancing requirements for vendors and customers. Signs should be posted telling the public not to enter if they were feeling ill, and vendors should consider accepting cash lis options whenever possible. This guidance will be posted the Corona virus dot Iowa dot gov website in the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Web pages as well. And finally, the Iowa Department of Public Health has also developed general guidance for any businesses that will be reopening in the next week. This includes following CDC cleaning and disinfection disinfection guidance, encouraging the provision of hand sanitizer and hand washing supplies for employees as well as the public. Posting reminders to employees and members of the public to stay at least six feet away from others when in the facility, and marking six foot intervals when possible. And again providing clear messaging to employees so that they understand how to take care of themselves and also protect their customers. So is Governor Reynolds mentioned yesterday. This is all part of turning down the dial, and we will continue to monitor the spread of covert 19 and make recommendations for adjustment of public health containment and mitigation measures as needed. It's critically important that businesses, farmers markets and other gathering spots follow the guidance that we've provided so that we can start to open our state while still protecting the health of its residents before I turn the podium back over to the governor. I especially want to thank our partners in local public health and emergency management across all 99 counties for their flexibility as new directives and guidance continue to be issued. They're responding every moment of every day, toe what's happening in their communities and communicating regularly with their partners and local elected officials, as well as following the latest updates from the state. We appreciate them and all they're doing during this challenging time. And now Governor Reynolds will turn. Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate the work that the Department of Public Health in the Department of Inspection and Peels and all that you listed have done to help really a restaurants in many other businesses to prepare for returning to work under these new and different circumstances. So thank you for your efforts in that I appreciate it very much, you know. Across the nation, restaurants have been hard hit by the closings that were necessary for us to slow the spread of Cove in 19 and they've been especially missed by their patrons. Here in Iowa, we've seen many restaurant owners get creative in order to continue employing staff and serving their customers from revamping their menus to for carry out to creating special meal subscriptions for families. Iowa restaurants have shown that they can still inspire dining even when we're eating at home. Some even dedicated themselves to serving their community from their kitchens in truly meaningful ways. Like Joel Mar, the owner of Primrose Restaurant in Corny. After the closure of restaurants, I had a friend share a video from Facebook of Joel reaching out to his community, letting him know that he would remain open for carry out service. But he also made a commitment to serve free lunch to K 12 student Kate K. Through 12 students while they were out of school. During this time, Joel story speaks to the very heart of who we are as Iowans. So I wanted to take this opportunity today to check in with Joel here about his business and lunch program and his plans to reopen Primrose. So, Joel, thanks for joining me today. Yeah. Thank you, Governor. It's ah, it's an honor. Good to see again. So what we did was, uh we did, um, you know, lunches for the school just to help out school as well as the kids here in town. Um, something is, You know, we wanted to make sure that there was fruit. Um, you know, good. Good amount of protein and carbohydrate with them as well on. And then every so often what kid doesn't like a little bit of something sweet in there. So we've been making some homemade brownies, things like that with, um um, with that being said way did this just to give back to the community, since it was such, um, humbling experience that everybody helped us out. Um, Corning as well as the surrounding areas has helped us out tremendously by donating money for the kids as well to make sure that we stay our doors open. Um, it has been in great on, you know, outpouring of love from everybody around us. And in these times, it's good to see some positive, uh, things come back from it. Thank you. So are you Are you getting ready to reopen? No. Yep. We're looking at some options. We may I feel confident that we could still kind of keep this extra two weeks and kind of really teach our staffs and stuff a swell as, uh, probably continue doing what we're doing right now And, uh, you know, get everything working with the restaurant association to make sure that everything all the influence inflammations, air in place and get our staff fully ready. And that way we can give our guests the expectations that they're looking for and look for to keeping everybody safe and healthy. Thank you. Thanks, Joe. But your resilience, it's extremely inspiring. And I wish you much success as you reopened. Primrose and I, for one, can't wait to come back. So and much luck to all of the restaurant owners and staff who are all busy preparing to reopen. We wish you the best is well, so in closing today, I want to think I once for their continued support of our food banks, your donations of time and money are making a difference for families in need. This week, the Iowa National Guard begin conducting missions to support food bank needs in communities across the state from packaging and delivering products to organizing mobile distribution sites. The Iowa National Guard soldiers and airman are there to serve Iowans where wherever they need, also The FAA has answered the call to action by challenging its members across the state to volunteer at food banks and pantries in their communities with the F A connection to agriculture and egg education. This really is a perfect partnership that will connect food banks with young volunteers who are at much less of a risk to the virus toe, help address again food insecurity and allow students an opportunity to give back to their community and to demonstrate the living to serve which aspect of the F F A motto. So if you're an f f f f A member partner with volunteer Iowa to be connected with communities in or near your community, and finally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and the Iowa Pork Producers pig farmers meat processors across the state are working together to support Iowa Food Bank Assoc to support the Iowa Food Bank Association. Through that passed the pork program, farmers air donating pigs to food bank programs. Local meat processors are have extended their hours of operation to process and package of the pork donations to help meet the growing demand of food. Resource is, and you can help to, so donations air needed to cover the cost of processing, storage and delivery of the pork to food banks and pantries. Iowans can contribute to the Iowa Food Bank Association to help cover these costs and future purchases of I will produce meat for the food program. So to doubt, to donate, just go to Iowa Food Bank Association's website at Iowa, f b a dot org's. And with that, we'll open it up for questions. Governor, can you talk about with all of these new guidelines for restaurants? How the state is gonna go about enforcing that restaurants follow some of these guidelines and recommendations. Well, first of all, the confidence in Iowans to do the right thing and business owners are justice and concern, as you just heard, uh, from Joel that they want to make sure that they put all the measures in place not only to inflect to protect their employees, but to make sure that they can protect their the individuals that are going Teoh their patrons as well as their community. So they were very proactive, actually, in reaching out to me talking that the I will Restaurant association talking to their members, talking about what they could do proactively to make sure that they could restore confidence to Iowans to open up their as dad village mints and do it in a safe and responsible manner. So just like I think, it's the Department of inspection and peels that works with the restaurants across the state of Iowa, they will continue to do those same visits and connections and continue to make sure that we're operating in a safe and responsible manner. But Caroline, they want to do that. They want to make sure that they're protecting their employers and that they can provide Iowans with the confidence they need to come back in and start to enjoy dining experiences. But doing it in a responsible manner by social distancing by making sure that they're operating at 50% capacity, making sure that they're following the Department of Health public guidelines that have put out and so I mean there gonna continue to do what they need to do to provide that that safe experience governor he's had contact tracing and testing really important reopening the economy. You find of any update on where the state is happy with contact tracers, I think you said you were going, Teoh Higher 200 then do you any updates on further tests? I was sites that will be Oh, yeah, And so we're gonna talk about that tomorrow. So I'm going to give an update on some of the numbers where we've currently done the testing. What we did this weekend, Saturday and Sunday in Des Moines. We've continued to keep the operation open a Des Moines today, tomorrow and Wednesday, I believe, and probably all week is what we're looking at. And then in addition to that, as I mentioned, will be going into Waterloo. So that'll be the next site that will open up. We continue to do some long term care strike teams where we're providing testing for the staff at our long term care facilities so we can start to do some surveillance testing so we can get in front of trying to identify especially some of the individuals who test positive but have been asymptomatic. And then, in addition to that, Dr Petit and the team have been doing serology testing also, so that will give us some insight as we move forward and again just continue to understand the virus activity and how it's being spread and what we can do to mitigate and manage the spread as we continue to reopen the state, we also will be looking at going into Woodberry County. They're seeing a significant spike and so it will be first of next week, maybe this weekend. We're looking at logistics right now, making sure that we have the team that's ready to set up and operate operationalize the test. I was site. So we're going to get up there as soon as as soon as we can, hopefully this weekend, but if not, will be the first of next week. And so also a component of that, as I have said, is the case investigation and tracing. And so with the Department of Public Health. Yes, this is Tuesday. Yesterday, I believe, provided training and the equipment to the ah, the guards, men and women that will be helping us with the contact tracing an investigation as well as the individuals that are helping us through the Department of Public Health so we can end some local. The local public health officials are doing some of that too. So we just knew that with e increased numbers and testing we were gonna bring. We were going to need to bring on additional individuals to do the testing. I'll say one more thing, and then we'll go to the next question. But also with the assessment piece that we're doing with the test. I will were able to get a lot of the information on the front and continue to monitor, you know, Iowans health. And so that, hopefully will help expedite some of the contract contact investigation and trust testing. Governor, there's about a 500 case discrepancy between what the state and Blackout County is reporting. Is that is that a lag in state results? Are they recording things differently? Yeah. So thanks for the question we do. Our reporting timeframe is cuts off a 10 o'clock the following morning. So the results that were reported today, our results as of 10 0 clock a m yesterday. So the Black Hawk County Public Health Department is undoubtedly using a different timeframe in terms of their results reporting, and so any will catch up with them tomorrow in terms of the data that's posted on the state website. Sarah, can you put a number on how many contract contact tracers Iowa needs to be efficient in its contact racing. Eso, Caroline, I, uh we have about a workforce of about 200 that have been identified as from the state level at this particular point in time. And so when we think about the number of new cases were seeing a day, I'm even at 500 cases a day. I think that'll be manageable with the additional resource is at the state level. We have also been communicating with local public health agencies and talking to them about their capacity. As we've seen, cases really start to rise in some locations, and we're asking them if they are interested in turning those contact tracing interviews over to the state. So we're offering support to locals in that way. To the extent that they're not able, Teoh get them done just due to lack of resource is at the local level that we're offering to step in from the state perspective and assist them with that because they're doing so much at the local level. It's not just that that's a small component, an important one to the many things that we're asking them to do. And so this is something that we can help alleviate some of their time on. So and you know what? We'll continue to monitor that. So if we figure out if we decide that we need more as we start to stand up more science, then we'll take a look at what that looks like and we'll look for additional resource is potentially even the National Guard could bring on some additional resource is with the title the federal guidelines that we've been able to that they're operating under. Now we're able to bring on about 1000 guardsmen and women, so that will help help immensely thinking about religious services. Why did you agree to allow them to open in all counties? And also, what advice would you have for ministers and other leaders and their parishioners for the weekend about what they should do? Okay, so I think Can you tell me the first part of the question? What was the first part of the question? Why did you agree to allow service to be held this weekend throughout the state when we never shut it down? And I think it comes down to constitutional liberties and the First Amendment. And so we are going to continue to work with our churches across the state. We would encourage them to continue to offer online services, especially for our most vulnerable Iowans. That should continue. Teoh use The online services for church were also encouraged them to practice. They will to practice social distancing to think about different measures that they can put in place. The Department of Public Health has put together guidelines that that they should, you know, follow through the services. But they they'll make sure that they're practicing safe warship in the services for Iowans across the state. And then I was also need to be responsible. So if you're sick, you need to stay home, continue to loot, utilize the online services, and, um, and those that do go. We know that social distancing work. So we should incorporate that into opening up. Are the services all right, Rod? Go ahead. Thank you, Governor. You indicated you planned off for a revised fiscal of 2021 but you're playing the legislators this week. Well, that's still include your proposed invest in Eilat that you have put on hold or has the global pandemic caused you to rethink elements. That proposal, including raising the state sales tax in the near future. I'm seeing some sad faces from my team that I worked so hard on. Invest in Iowa. You know, we're going to sit down with Department of Management and Director Roeder and go through that. And so, you know, in light of everything that we're facing right now, it's really too early to see the impact of covert 19. So we're monitoring that very closely I am. We're very fortunate that our cash reserves are strong, that we have strong fiscal health going into the cove in 19. But it's going to require all of us, I think, to revisit our budgets. I will be re resubmitting a new budget to the Legislature, and we're going to begin working on that this week. So that probably means that invest in I was gonna have to put on hold. No, David, Channel 13. Good morning, Governors. This bipartisan letter from the National Governors Association do you agree that I would need more from the feds in terms of aid PPS testing snap, assistant infrastructure, all of those things, and then secondarily, how much money do you think we need from the well, that's why I think it's important that we take a look at what You know, how we can use the money that they've already sent to the states and the money that they put into The Cares Act and into the P P. P. To help small businesses across the state and across the country. So I think we really need to reevaluate the money that's come in and how we're using it. And then before we probably ask for additional support. So I'm not saying that we may not need it, but I'm also saying that, you know, we have been very conservative and fiscally and responsibly managing our state budget. Our cash reserves were full. We had about a $300 million budget surplus in fiscal year 19. So we're in pretty good shape going into this. This is gonna have an impact on our budget. We know that we were fortunate to keep over 80% of our essential businesses open and running, but we still have had businesses and small businesses that have been impacted by the Corona virus, and so we're going to continue to monitor what that impact looks like. And the impact that will have on our revenues. Um and then we'll continue to work with the federal government. They have been responsive in in addressing our needs. And so I believe that they still will be responsive in addressing the needs of states across the country. But I also think that we must be responsible in the amount of debt that we're putting on future future future generations. And so we need to understand how we're utilizing the money that we've received and then circle back and take a look at that moving forward shoot. I didn't bring now, but actually, we are with the people know p p p or the PPE. Okay, I think they were trying play a joke on us. That was not, you know, they could have found a different acronym, but anyway, the PPE were really We are starting to see our supply chains. Open up. We've got several of the PP pp. That has been ordered that we're seeing coming, coming in. I actually our team keeps ah spreadsheet on all of that, so we'll be able to provide that for you. As I said, the other day. We really have seen the guard missions slow down. So you know, at one point they were doing 25 to 26 a day. We have four today. Yeah, okay. So I mean so And we've consistently seen that, you know, come down. So that indicates to us that they're ability to open up to procure outside of the state. Resource is it is happening, and we're also starting to see our resource is open up to. So that's a good thing, either governor. A number of meat packing companies Tyson and JBs have extensively claimed privacy reasons when they refused to release raw infection numbers. The number of attorneys, including the state auditor, has said there's no privacy violation by releasing those numbers. No one's identified. So do you believe it's in the public interest for companies to release these infection numbers? You know, I'm not going to comment on that until I can do a little, get a little bit more background on it and visit with the attorney general. But what I've seen is that our processing plants have done everything that they can and continue to work to make sure that their employers air working in a safe environment. I've talked to almost every one of them many times, and they've talked about through temperature scanners through opening up their attendance policy to making sure that they're practising social distinct distancing two men mandating facial masks many times shields to putting in petitions. Teoh make sure that their workers know that they can stay home when they're sick. So they are being proactive in doing what they need to dio to protect their workers, to make sure that they're operating in a safe environment. And then, uh, and then we're helping to with some of the testing so that we can identify those that have tested positive. We're doing both diagnosis diagnostic testing as well, a serology testing on many of these facilities so that we can really identify the scope and the spread and hopefully everything we can to keep thes facilities up and running because it is essential that we not only protect the workforce, but that we keep our processing plants open so we can keep the food supply chain moving, or we're gonna really be dealing with some significant issues going forward, not only on the from a food supply, protein effort, but really even the cost of food as well. So we're working collaboratively and collectively to make sure that that doesn't happen. And it goes to our producers and our farmers who have invested in feeding not only Americans but the world. And so you know, they they show up every day as long as as, well, a czar, um, are food processing workers to make sure that that food supply chain continues to move and Iowans and Americans continue to have access T protein and food going forward. Great morning, Governor. Why do you think it's necessary for the president to invoke the Defense Production Act to help pork producers because of what I just said? Everything that I just said. This is essential critical infrastructure. It is essential to keeping the food supply chain moving. It is essential to keeping protein available toe Iowans, and it's essential to our ability. You know, we provide 10% off the nation's food supply here in Iowa, and so we have a role and an obligation from our farmers to our processors to our supply chain, you know, to continue to feed the world and keep food on the plate. And so, you know, we have to figure out how we can do that in a responsible and safe manner. And so, you know, we need to take a look at what that entails to make sure that we can continue to do that. Thank you.

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WATCH: Iowa's daily news conference on COVID-19

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Updated: 2:17 PM CDT Apr 28, 2020

Gov. Kim Reynolds and state officials held a news conference on COVID-19 in Iowa Tuesday. The Iowa department of Public Health on Tuesday reported 9 deaths and 508 new COVID-19 cases.On Monday, Reynolds announced a proclamation to ease more COVID-19 restrictions in 77 of Iowa’s 99 counties.Iowa Workforce Development announced guidelines Monday about Iowans who received unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Iowa Restaurant Association said Monday that 10% of the state's restaurants and bars are already lost from the financial devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic and will not recover.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Gov. Kim Reynolds and state officials held a news conference on COVID-19 in Iowa Tuesday.